Chiefs halt Saracens' unbeaten run
PREMIERSHIP MATCH REPORT: Exeter Chiefs laid down a marker as they ended Saracens unbeaten start to the season to move back top of the Premiership Rugby table with a 31-13 win at Sandy Park.
Under pressure early on, Chiefs responded in the battle of the top two with tries from Luke Cowan-Dickie, Harry Williams, Matt Kvesic and a penalty try to take all five points.
Saracens, who were unbeaten in 22 matches in all competitions, made a flying start as they dominated possession and territory, with Owen Farrell slotting two penalties to open up a 6-0 lead.
Having barely fired a shot, Exeter then responded on their first real incursion into Saracens territory.
With Saracens trying to work their way out of their own five metres, Sam Skinner charged down Ben Spencer, and Cowan-Dickie collected before gratefully dotting down. Gareth Steenson converted to make it 7-6.
He added a penalty right on the stroke of half-time, while Farrell saw his attempt bounce away off the post early in the second period.
Having weathered some Saracens pressure, Exeter then exerted some of their own, with replacement Williams powering over from close range.
Steenson’s conversion made it 17-6, and Saracens’ run looked in real danger. It was over four minutes later from a rolling maul when the visitors had no answer. Schalk Burger was adjudged to have pulled it down and the penalty try was awarded.
Despite Burger’s yellow card for that infringement, Saracens finally responded with a try, Christian Judge breaking through and Ben Spencer on hand to dot down.
However it was Exeter who had the final say, another rolling maul ending with Kvesic dotting down to seal maximum points for the home side, who move back to the top of the league.
The Scorers:
For Exeter Chiefs:
Tries: Cowan-Dickie, Williams, Kvesic, Penalty Try
Cons:Steenson 2, Simmonds
Pen: Steenson
For Saracens:
Try: Spencer
Con: Farrell
Pens: Farrell 2
Yellow card: Schalk Burger (Saracens, 67)
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Joe Simmonds, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Tom O’Flaherty, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Jack Maunder, 8 Matt Kvesic, 7 Don Armand, 6 Sean Lonsdale, 5 Sam Skinner, 4 Dave Dennis, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Jack Yeandle (captain), 1 Alec Hepburn
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Mitch Lees, 20 Tom Lawday, 21 Nic White, 22 Ollie Devoto, 23 Phil Dollman
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Alex Lozowski, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Brad Barritt (captain), 11 Alex Lewington, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Calum Clark, 6 Mike Rhodes, 5 George Kruis, 4 Nick Isiekwe, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola
Replacements: 16 Tom Woolstencroft, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Christian Judge, 19 Dom Day, 20 Will Skelton, 21 Schalk Burger, 22 Tom Whiteley, 23 Matt Gallagher
Referee: Thomas Foley
Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley & Greg Macdonald
TMO: Geoff Warren.
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